This weekend is the last chance to catch the Artist’s Open House festival, one of the most unique aspects of Brighton Festival. In a city rich in creative talent these numerous exhibitions that open up around the city in people’s own homes is the art community’s finest showcase. I stumbled on a few houses last week not to be missed. The first is on the Seven Dials circuit.

Most of the houses you visit convert every inch of wall into exhibition space. At Brighton and Beyond, 18 Goldsmid Road, Chris Dade, has transformed the hallway into a meditation space with his soothing and peaceful photographic compositions. Chris has owned a camera since he was around 8 years old. He went on to study for his degree in Photography eventually becoming a jobbing photographer. He has developed his style through his travels to Thailand, the discovery of Buddhist meditation and silent retreats. He diffuses soothing music and burns incense to complement the feel of the images. The series of photographs are named after a book he self-published, ’Falling into Silence’.

The images are presented in sepia-like treatment but more golden sandy colour than orange. And this fits in with the theme. The title picture is of a man, underwater in a swimming pool in a falling type pose with light dancing on the water around him. I’m also drawn to what he tells me is one of his favourite pictures, showing a well formed figure of a man climbing up a steep sand dune. Chris explains it represents how hard we all work in society perhaps for little return, the uphill struggle. Underneath each photograph Chris adds his own poetry, a sort of commentary or expression of how you could be feeling when looking . ‘I usually I have an idea of the sort of theme I want, then afterwards will sit down, look at the picture and let the words come.’ he says.

Brighton & Beyond’s host is interior designer Stephen Crowther this year, who also has photographic works on show. Happily, we could park the pushchair in the hallway and explore. Despite the beautiful and delicate glassware on show from Richard P.J. Ray there was a very relaxed attitude towards small children. The living room is decorated with the lively prints and more from Greg Sturgess, the fourth artist of the set. And after consuming all the work on show it was easy to retire for a cuppa in the lush garden. So don’t miss this weekend, today (Saturday) from 1pm there’ll be a professional singer in the garden plus much more lovely cake.

www.sevendialsartists.co.uk www.chrisdade.co.uk